February 2

From DIY to the NFL, Arthur Blank has scored big.

Born in Flushing, New York In 1942, he went to work for his father’s small pharmaceutical company. He wound up in Los Angeles as CFO of a home improvement company called Handy Dan. Bernie Marcus was CEO. Fired by that chain in 1978, the enterprising duo struck out on their own with a new venture called Home Depot. Based in Atlanta, after conducting nationwide market research they opened their first stores in 1979 and never looked back.

After retiring from Home Depot in 2001, Blank paid the Rankin Smith family $545 million for the Atlanta Falcons. At Home Depot, Blank emphasized innovative customer service and a commitment to success. That worked for football too. In 2009 the Falcons posted – and boasted — consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

Arthur blank kicked off those long-sought victories when he bought the Atlanta Falcons on February 2, 2002, Today in Georgia History.